Surgical port closure device

ABSTRACT

A port closure device includes a pair of jaws that may move repeatably between open and closed positions and repeatably pass a needle therebetween. The jaws are generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device in the closed position and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis in the open position. The device further includes a jaw control rod for controlling movement of the jaws and a needle control rod for controlling the passing of the needle between the two jaws.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser.No. 16/185,985 filed on Nov. 9, 2018, which is a Divisional Applicationof U.S. application Ser. No. 14/991,163, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,154,839,filed Jan. 8, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/102,814, filed on Jan. 13, 2015. Each of theabove applications and disclosures are incorporated herein by referenceas if fully re-written.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical deviceused during a surgery. More particularly, the present disclosure relatesto a suturing device to close ports made during surgery. Specifically,the present disclosure relates to a port closure suturing device thatcloses a laparoscopic port via suturing jaws carrying a needle andsuture, wherein the jaws close in a manner approaching perpendicularrelative to the longitudinal axis of the device when the device isoriented vertically

BACKGROUND Background Information

Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive medical procedure allowinga surgeon to operate from a remote location through small incisions(usually 0.5-1.5 cm) elsewhere in the body. The small incisions aresometimes known as “ports.” The surgeon may then insert an endoscope tolook inside the body while performing a surgical operation. After thesurgical operation, the surgeon must close the ports to prevent furtherinjury at the port site, such as a hernia. One way to close the ports isthrough the use of one or more sutures. A surgical suture (e.g.,stitches) is a medical device that holds body tissues together after aninjury or surgical incision.

There have been attempts in the prior art to provide suturing devicesfor suturing in the abdomen. One such example is U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,652(the '652 patent) to Wurster et al. which discloses a surgical suturingdevice especially for endoscopic surgery. Commercially, the '652 patentcovers a device known as the “Auto Suture Endo Stitch” offered for saleby Covidien Ltd., of Dublin, Ireland. The '652 patent provides anoperating mechanism including a drive and a locking mechanism operatedby a handle. Further, the '652 patent includes a suturing headcomprising two jaws between which a needle having opposite needle tipsand a central eye is exchanged while being alternately locked with thetwo jaws, wherein the whole procedure being controllable by a singlehandle. The needle in the '652 patent has a single central aperturereceiving the suture string and two slits formed in opposite ends of theneedle. The slits are not completely bound, but rather have a generalU-shaped cross section.

The movable jaws in the '652 patent are supported on a shaft including ashaft tube. The jaws are operated by means of operating rods which arelinked to the jaws at joints. The operating rods are combined further inthe back and are actuated together by a push rod. Both jaws areidentical and have a longitudinally extending bore receiving the lockingpin. When the handle is released, cams remain in place. When the jawsare opened, a thick end portion of the pins slide along the respectivefront end faces of slide members which are shaped so that the pinsremain in position relative to the respective jaws. This allows theneedle to remain locked in the needle guide in which it is engaged atthat point so that it cannot fall out. The '652 patent further disclosesan articulated joint allowing the jaws to pivot such that they aregenerally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the endoscopicstitching device. While the '652 patent appears to have a shaft that canbe curved or bent to approximate a perpendicular angle relative to theshaft, it is a large curve and takes up a significant amount of space.This bend length is greater than the diameter of most incision ports.Because of this it appears to be impossible to close a smalllaparoscopic incision with the device disclosed in the '652 patent.

SUMMARY

Issues continue to exist with suturing devices associated withendoscopic surgeries. Namely, the angles in which the jaws on previousdevices close causes difficulty for the surgeon. Further, anyarticulated joints near the distal end of suturing devices requires thedevice to be too large to fit within a small port through which anadvanced endoscopic camera is inserted. The present disclosure addressesthese and other issues.

In one aspect, an embodiment of the disclosure may provide a portclosure device comprising: an elongate shaft member extending along alongitudinal first axis defining a lumen therethrough; and first andsecond jaws carried by the shaft and moveable between an open and aclosed position, the jaws rotate about a transverse second axis to movebetween the open and closed positions; wherein the jaws are generallyperpendicular relative to the longitudinal first axis in the closedposition. The port closure device may further comprise a needleincluding an outer surface offset a distance from the longitudinal firstaxis and generally parallel with the longitudinal first axis when thejaws are in the closed position. Additionally, the port closure devicemay comprise a pair of control hubs adjacent the first and second jaws;a needle control rod operatively coupled with the hubs and selectivelyoperable by a user; and first and second needle control blades extendingthrough the first and second jaws respectively, a rear end on eachcontrol blade coupled with one hub, and the blades adapted to releasablysecure a needle to one of the jaws as selected by the user. The portclosure device may comprise a jaw control rod including a Y-shapedmember including first and second legs; the first leg coupled to thefirst jaw on one side of the transverse second axis; and the second legcoupled to the second jaw on the other side of the transverse secondaxis.

In another aspect, the disclosure may provide a method of suturing asurgical port, tissue defect, or fascial defect, the method comprisingthe steps of: providing a port closure device including first and secondjaws carried by a longitudinal shaft and moveable between an open and aclosed position; position an outer surface of a needle generallyperpendicular a longitudinal axis of the shaft; closing the jaws to passthe needle through live tissue near a port formed in the live tissue,wherein when the needle outer surface is generally parallel with thelongitudinal axis when closed within the jaws; transferring the needlefrom one jaw to the other; and rotating the device 180° about thelongitudinal axis and closing the jaws to pass the needle through livetissue near the port's other side.

In another aspect, the disclosure may provide a port closure deviceincluding a pair of jaws that may move repeatably between open andclosed positions and repeatably pass a needle therebetween. The jaws aregenerally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device in theclosed position and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis in theopen position. The device further includes a jaw control rod forcontrolling movement of the jaws and a needle control rod forcontrolling the passing of the needle between the two jaws.

In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the disclosure may provide aport closure device comprising: an elongated shaft having a proximal endand a distal end, the shaft extending along a longitudinal first axisdefining a lumen therethrough; and first and second jaws carried by theshaft and positioned adjacent the distal end, the first and second jawsmoveable between an open and a closed position; a transverse secondaxis, wherein the first and second jaws rotate about the transversesecond axis between the open and closed positions; wherein at least oneof the first and second jaws is generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal first axis in the closed position; and a needle havingopposed first and second sharpened ends configured to pierce livetissue; wherein the needle is selectively transferable betweenengagement with the first and second jaws and the needle carries asuture string therewith as the needle is transferred, and wherein theneedle contacts both the first and second jaws in the closed positionand contacts only one of the first and second jaws in the open position.

In another aspect, an embodiment of the disclosure may provide a methodof suturing a surgical port comprising the steps of: providing a portclosure device including first and second jaws carried by a longitudinalshaft and moveable between an open and a closed position; moving thefirst and second jaws to the open position, wherein a needle isselectively attached to the first jaw thereby positioning a mid-portionof the needle generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of theshaft; moving the jaws to the closed position to pass the needle throughlive tissue near a port formed in the live tissue, wherein themid-portion of the needle is generally offset and parallel with thelongitudinal axis when closed within the jaws; transferring the needlefrom the first jaw to the second jaw; moving the jaws to the openposition with the needle selectively attached to the second jaw; androtating the device about the longitudinal axis and closing the jaws topass the needle through live tissue near the port's other side. In thisexemplary summary method, the step of transferring the needle from thefirst jaw to the second jaw comprises the steps of: removing a firstneedle control blade disposed within the first jaw from a fully insertedengagement through a completely bound first aperture formed near a firstsharpened end of the needle; and inserting a second needle control bladedisposed within the second jaw through a completely bound secondaperture formed near a second sharpened end of the needle. Additionallyin this exemplary summary method, the steps of removing the first needlecontrol blade and inserting the second control blade is accomplished byactuating a needle control switch operatively coupled to a needlecontrol rod extending along the longitudinal axis. Further in thisexemplary method, the step of moving the jaws to the closed positionfurther comprises the steps of: passing a sharpened end of the needlealong a tapered surface on the second jaw and into a needle cavitydefined in the second jaw orthogonal to a needle control bore; whereinthe tapered surface guides the needle into the cavity in the event theneedle is bent while passing through the live tissue.

In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure may providea port closure device comprising: a pair of moveable jaws carried by atubular housing adjacent a distal end, the housing centered along alongitudinal axis, wherein a portion of one of the jaws from the pair ofmoveable jaws perpendicularly intersects the longitudinal axis in aclosed position; a needle selectively transferable between the pair ofmoveable jaws and carrying a suture string, the suture sting and theneedle adapted to pass through live tissue when the needle isselectively transferred from one jaw to the other; and wherein theneedle defines at least three completely bound and distinct apertures.This embodiment, as well as other, may further include a first taperedsurface on the needle extending into a first aperture formed in a convexsurface adjacent a first sharpened end; and a second tapered surface onthe needle extending into a second aperture formed in the convex surfaceadjacent a second sharpened end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A sample embodiment of the disclosure is set forth in the followingdescription, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctlypointed out and set forth in the appended claims. The accompanyingdrawings, which are fully incorporated herein and constitute a part ofthe specification, illustrate various examples, methods, and otherexample embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure. It will beappreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groupsof boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of theboundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that insome examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or thatmultiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, anelement shown as an internal component of another element may beimplemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore,elements may not be drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a port closure device of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a first jaw for releasably securinga needle thereto as selected by a surgeon;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a second jaw for releasablysecuring the needle thereto as selected by the surgeon;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a jaw pull rod configured to move thefirst and second jaws;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first hub;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first needle control blade;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a needle control rod;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the distal end of the port closure device;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the distal end of the port closure device withsome components internal to the housing depicted in phantom;

FIG. 10 is an operational side view of the distal end with some internalcomponents depicted in phantom and depicting passing a needle throughlive tissue;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an upperfirst jaw;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a lowersecond jaw;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an assembled jaw assembly including thealternative embodiment of the first and second jaws;

FIG. 14 is a cross section taken along line 14-14 in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an alternative embodiment of a needle having completely boundapertures extending therethrough adjacent first and second ends;

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross section of the needle embodimentdepicted in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a cross section view of the first and second jaws of thealternative embodiment having the needle therein and the first andsecond jaws in the closed position; and

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an end of the second jaw.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A surgical port closure device of the present disclosure is indicatedthroughout FIGS. 1-10 and generally indicated as 10. Port closure device10 comprises an upper jaw 12, a lower jaw 14, a jaw pull rod 16, a firsthub 18 (FIG. 5), a second hub 20 (FIG. 10), a first needle control blade22 (FIG. 6), a second needle control blade 24 (FIG. 9), and a needlecontrol rod 26.

As depicted in FIG. 1, port closure device 10 includes a distal end 28spaced apart from a proximal end 30 defining a longitudinal directionthere between. The longitudinal direction is represented by arrow A. Atrigger handle assembly 32 is adjacent proximal end 30 and is configuredto receive a surgeon's hands therearound for operatively controllingupper and lower jaws 12, 14. A needle moving switch 34 is adjacenthandle 32, preferably in a location that may be contacted by thesurgeon's thumb. A tubular housing 36 extends from adjacent proximal end30 towards distal end 28. (The tubular housing 36 may also be referredto herein as an elongated shaft 36). Housing 36 is a tubular memberdefining a lumen therethrough configured to receive components of thepresent disclosure operatively coupled with upper and lower jaws 12, 14.Housing 36 is contemplated as being constructed out of a material thatis strong and resilient but is also safe for insertion into a humancavity. Housing 36 is not shown to scale in FIG. 1 as indicated by thebroken lines. However, it is contemplated that the length of the housingwill be approximately 18 inches.

Trigger handle assembly 32 includes a finger receiving member 174 and athumb receiving member 176. When viewed from the side, finger receivingmember 174 is closer to distal end 28 than thumb member 76. Fingermember 174 may define a plurality of cutout regions 178 which areconfigured to receive the surgeon's fingers to allow the surgeon to griptrigger handle 32. Finger receiving member 174 may further define amiddle finger aperture 180. Thumb receiving member 176 may define athumb cutout for receiving surgeon's thumb therethrough. A transverseaxis 182 is shown in FIG. 1 by representative cross-hairs indicatingthat transverse axis 182 extends into and out of the page. The fingerreceiving member 174 and thumb receiving member 176 are moveablerelative to each other in the direction of arrow B about transverse axis182. This squeezing movement in the direction of arrow B causesoperative movement of jaw pull rod 16 within housing 36.

As depicted in FIG. 2, jaw 12 includes a first end 38 spaced opposite asecond end 40. A first sidewall 42 extends from first end 38 towardssecond end 40. A second sidewall 44 is opposite sidewall 42 extending inthe same direction of sidewall 42. A top wall 46 extends betweensidewall 42 and sidewall 44 adjacent first end 38. A circular edge 48defines the top of an opening in top wall 46. A frustoconical sidewall50 extends downwardly from circular edge 48 to bottom circular edge 52.Frustoconical sidewall 50 is generally a continuous smooth surfacebetween edge 48 and edge 52. Edge 48 has a diameter larger than that ofedge 52 such that sidewall 50 tapers inwardly and downwardly when viewedin cross-section. A cylindrical bore 54 extends downwardly from edge 52towards a bottom wall 56. A top leg wall 58 extends from adjacent topwall 46 towards second end 40. Top leg wall 58 contacts sidewall 42 andsidewall 44 along respective edges extending from first end 38 towardssecond end 40. An annular member 60 defines second end 40, contactingsidewall 42, sidewall 44, bottom wall 56, and top leg wall 58. Annularmember 60 includes a first sidewall 62 facing the same direction asfirst sidewall 42 and a second sidewall 64 facing the same direction assidewall 44. Annular member 60 defines a bore 66 extending transverselythrough upper jaw 12 from sidewall 62 to sidewall 64. Bore 66 isgenerally cylindrical and circular in cross-section defining atransversely extending rotational axis 68 for jaw 12 to move thereabout.A control aperture 70 is defined by annular member 60 extending fromsidewall 62 transversely though member 60 to sidewall 64. Controlaperture 70 is eccentric relative to axis 68 and is generallyrectangularly shaped with rounded edges when viewed in cross-section. Acylindrical sidewall 72 extends circumferentially around annular member60, contacting leg wall 58 and sidewalls 42, 44 and bottom wall 56. Abore 74 is defined within jaw 12, extending generally from second end 40towards first end 38. Bore 74 an has entrance opening formed in sidewall72 and an end that is adjacent cylindrical bore 54. Bore 74 is in opencommunication with cylindrical bore 54 adjacent first end 38. Bore 74 isa generally uniform opening that includes a cross-section that is shapedcomplimentary to that of blade 22.

In one exemplary version of the present disclosure, transverse axis 68perpendicularly intersects the longitudinal centerline 208 extendingthrough the lumen of housing 36 in a perpendicular manner. Similarly,transverse axis 182 of the trigger handle 32 perpendicularly intersectsthe imaginary longitudinal center line 208 extending through lumen ofhousing 36. Accordingly, axis 182 and axis 68 extend along the sametransverse plane. However, while this configuration is shown by way ofexample, clearly other configurations are entirely possible as onehaving ordinary skill in the art would understand.

Lower jaw 14 is a rigid member constructed of a material similar to thatof upper jaw 12. Lower jaw 14 includes a first end 76 spaced apart froma second end 78. An end wall 80 defines first end 76. A first sidewall82 is spaced opposite a second sidewall 84 and extends from a rigidconnection with end wall 80 towards second end 78. A top wall 86 isspaced apart from a bottom wall 88 and extends towards second end from arigid connection with end wall 80. Annular member 90 defines second end78 and includes a first sidewall 92, spaced apart and opposite from asecond sidewall 94 with a cylindrical sidewall 96 extendingtherebetween. Annular member 90 defines a cylindrical bore 98 extendingthrough annular 90 from first sidewall 92 to second sidewall 94.Transverse axis 68 extends centrally through bore 96. Jaw 14 includesneedle receiving components similar to that of jaw 12, namely asimilarly shaped edge 48, a frustoconical sidewall 50, edge 52, andcylindrical bore 54. Jaw 14 further defines a needle control bore 100(FIG. 9) extending from second end 78 towards first end 76 in a mannersimilar to that of bore 74 on upper jaw 12. Additionally, a secondcontrol aperture 102 is formed and defined in annular member 90extending from first sidewall 92 to second sidewall 94 eccentricrelative to axis 68 of bore 98.

As depicted in FIG. 4, jaw pull rod 16 includes a lower end 103 spacedopposite an upper end 104 with an elongated rigid member 106 extendingtherebetween. Upper end 104 is operatively coupled with trigger handle32 and positioned within lumen of elongated housing 36. The coupling ofupper end 104 to trigger handle 32 may be done in a conventional mannerthat allows movement of trigger 32 to operatively control movement ofjaw pull rod 16. Adjacent the lower end 103 of rigid member 106 is abifurcating Y-shaped member 108, including a first leg 110 and secondleg 112. A first sidewall 114 of jaw pull rod 16 is spaced apart andfaces opposite that of a second sidewall 116. A first cylindrical memberextends transversely and outwardly from a rigid connection with sidewall114 on leg 110. A second cylindrical member 120 extends outwardly fromsidewall 116 on second leg 112 in a direction opposite that ofcylindrical member 118.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, with device 10in an assembled position, jaw 12 and jaw 14 are concentric about axis 68with pull rod 16 sandwiched between jaw 12 and jaw 14. Second sidewall44 faces the same direction as first sidewall 82 and sidewall 42 facesthe same direction as sidewall 84. Downwardly facing top wall 46 facesupwardly facing top wall 86. Y-member 108 on pull rod 16 is positionedbetween annular member 90 and annular member 60. Cylindrical member 118extends through first control aperture 70 and cylindrical member 120extends through second control aperture 102. Cylindrical members 118 and120 cause relative movement of jaws 12, 14 as pull rod 16 is movedlongitudinally in the direction of arrow A towards the proximal end 30of device 10 by squeezing and movement of trigger mechanism 32. Bore 66and bore 98 are tandem and concentric next to each other, lined up endto end about axis 68.

As depicted in FIG. 5, first hub 18 is a generally rigid C-shapedmember, including a top end 122 and a bottom end 124 with an arcuatewall 126 extending therebetween. While first hub 18 is generallyC-shaped when viewed from the side, arcuate wall 126 is a U-shapedmember when viewed in transverse cross-section, defining a semi-circularchannel 128 therein. First hub 18 may further include an upwardly facinglip 130 closely adjacent a convex top surface 132. The lip 130 may bedisposed on each side of channel 128 defining an entrance way intochannel 128. The width of the entrance way measured from lip to lip 130is less than the diameter of channel 128. A support plate 134 isattached to the outer surface of U-shaped wall 126. A second supportplate 135 is attached to the opposite side of wall 126. A cylindricalmember 136 extends outwardly from support plate 134 generally orthogonalrelative to the longitudinal plane defined by channel 128. Cylindricalmember 136 is a rigid member formed from a fixed rigid connection withsupport plate 134 and is configured to move hub 18 as the operatoractuates needle control rod 26.

First hub 18 is disposed closely adjacent rear end 40 of annular member60 and annular member 90 on upper jaw 12 and lower jaw 14, respectively.In one particular embodiment, channel 128 receives annular sidewall 72therein. Additionally, while second hub 20 is not shown in its ownfigure, such as FIG. 4 with reference to first hub 18, it is to beunderstood that second hub 20 is shaped similar to that of first hub 18,except with a cylindrical member that extends in a direction oppositethat of cylindrical member 136 on first hub 18.

As depicted in FIG. 6, first needle control blade 22 includes a forwardend 138 spaced apart and longitudinally opposite a rear end 140 with anelongated rigid member body 142 extending therebetween. In the shownembodiment, rigid member body 142 is generally square in cross-section,including longitudinally extending edges 144 connecting planar sidewallsof rigid body 142. Adjacent the rear end of rigid body 142 is acylindrical throat section 146 that extends from a rigid connection withrigid body 142 towards a ball member 148 that defines rear end 140. Inan assembled position, ball member 148 is disposed within channel 128 offirst hub 18. Ball 148 has a diameter complimentary to that of channel128, allowing ball to move freely therein. Ball 148 has a diameterlarger than the entranceway between lips 130 such that when ball 148 isslid into channel 128, it cannot be extracted without purposefullymoving ball 148 towards the exit adjacent either one of the first end122 or second end 124. In the assembled position, throat 146 extendsthrough the entranceway defined between lips 130. Additionally, in theassembled position, rigid member 142 extends through bore 74 and ismoveable between a retracted position and an advanced position. Secondcontrol blade 24 is not shown in an individual view like first blade 22,however it should be understood that second blade 24 is shaped similarto that of first blade 22 and the ball member 148 of second controlblade 24 fits within the channel 128 of second hub 20.

As depicted in FIG. 7, needle control rod 26 includes an upper end 150spaced apart and opposite from a lower end 152. Control rod 26 is aplanar rigid elongate member with a first sidewall 154 spaced opposite asecond sidewall 156. Near lower end 152, rod 26 defines a first slot 158extending transversely through member 26 from first sidewall 154 tosecond sidewall 156. A second slot is defined adjacent first slot 158and also extends from first sidewall 154 transversely through member 26to second sidewall 156. Second slot 160 is separate and distinct fromfirst slot 158 and generally closer to upper end 150 than first slot158. First slot 158 is generally an inverted V-shaped member when viewedfrom the side, including a first leg 162 and second leg 164. Theinverted V-shape configuration of slot 158 defines a chevron-likepathway along which cylindrical member 136 travels. Second slot 160 isgenerally V-shaped when viewed from the side with a first leg 166 and asecond leg 168. First leg 166 is partially defined by a bottom edge 170that is parallel with an edge 172 of rod 26 extending from lower end 152towards upper end 150. In the assembled state, upper end 150 of rod 26is operatively coupled with needle movement switch 34. Needle movementswitch 34 may actuate rod 26 longitudinally between first and secondpositions wherein the first position is more advanced than the secondposition. When port closure device 10 is assembled, cylindrical member136 on first hub 18 extends through first slot 158 and the cylindricalmember on second hub 122 extends through second slot 160. Eachrespective chevron-like slot 158, 160 defines a path of travel throughwhich cylindrical members 136 of hubs 18, 20 respectively, will travel,as rod 26 linearly moves in a longitudinal direction relative to housing36 via actuation of switch 34.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, port closuredevice 10 provides a pair of jaws that open and close in order to pass aneedle back and forth through human tissue in order to close an openingvia a suture attached to a needle. When the jaws are in an open position(FIG. 10), the jaws are generally aligned parallel with a longitudinallyextending center line. As the jaws are moving from the open positiontowards a closed position (FIG. 8), the jaws are approaching atransverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal center line. The jawclosure in this manner allows for the needle to pass through a port inhuman tissue while the device 10 remains generally vertical relative tothe port opening. The vertical alignment of device 10 relative to theport opening makes the passing of the needle through human tissue easierthan other conventional prior devices. In accordance with another aspectof the present disclosure, the generally perpendicular jaws in theclosed position do not extend far beyond the outer surface of housing36, which makes the present disclosure desirable for use with smallincision ports.

In operation and with reference to FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10, theassembled device 10 is able to transfer needle 200 carrying suturestring 202 between jaws 12, 14 when actuated via switch 34 by a surgeon.The movement of jaws 12, 14 is controlled by rod 16 which is operativelycoupled to trigger 32 in a conventionally known manner. The extension ofcylindrical member 120 on leg 112 through second control aperture 102 onlower jaw 14 is on one side of the transverse plane defined byrotational axis 68. Here, in FIG. 8, the extension of cylindrical member120 through second control aperture 102 is shown above rotational axis68. As can be seen in FIG. 9, cylindrical member 118 extends throughaperture 70 on upper jaw 12 below the transversely extending planedefined by rotational axis 68. Stated otherwise, cylindrical members118, 120 are on different sides of the transversely extending planedefined by rotational axis 68. This alignment moves jaws 12, 14 betweenan open position and closed position as control rod 16 is movedlongitudinally. For example, a surgeon may squeeze trigger 32 in thedirection of rotational arrow B (FIG. 1) which imparts longitudinalmovement of control rod 16 distally towards second end 28. The distalmovement of rod 16 causes cylindrical members 118, 120 to move andimpart movement, thus controlling upper jaw 12 and lower jaw 14respectively. As rod 16 is moved distally toward second end 28, upperjaw 12 is drawn proximally about rotational axis 68 to a positionapproaching parallel with the longitudinal center line of lumen definedby housing 36. As control rod 16 is moved distally in the direction ofdistal end 28, cylindrical member 120 rotates lower jaw 14 distallyaround rotational axis 68 to a position approaching parallel withlongitudinal center line of lumen defined by housing 36.

To move upper and lower jaws 12, 14 towards the closed position (FIG.8), the surgeon moves the trigger handle 32 which imparts a longitudinalmovement in the direction of arrow A towards proximal end 30 of controlrod 16. The longitudinal movement of control rod 16 in the proximaldirection rotates lower jaw 14 about axis 68 in a direction approachingperpendicular to longitudinal axis 208 of housing 36. Similarly, withrespect to lower jaw 14, the longitudinal movement of control rod 16towards the proximal direction rotates lower jaw 14 about axis 68towards a position approaching perpendicular relative to longitudinalaxis 208 of lumen defined by housing 36. The jaws 12, 14 are generallyperpendicular relative to the longitudinal first axis 208 in the closedposition (FIG. 8).

Needle 200 carrying suture material 202 is transferred between upper jaw12 and lower jaw 14 selectively by the surgeon. The first blade 22 isdisposed within the longitudinal bore 74 of the upper jaw 12 and ismoveable between an advanced first position and a retracted secondposition. Similarly, the second blade 24 is disposed within thelongitudinal bore 100 of the lower jaw 14 and is moveable between anadvanced first position and a retracted second position. The two blades22, 24 cannot be in the same position at the same time. Statedotherwise, when the first blade 22 is in the advanced first position,the second blade 24 is in the retracted second position. When the secondblade 24 is in the advanced first position, the first blade 22 is in theretracted second position. When either of the blades is in the advancedfirst position, the edges 144 of rigid member body 142 of the bladescontact a notch cutout near the end of needle 200 inside bore 54. Thecontacting edge 144 with notch cutout of needle 200 releasably attachesneedle 200 to that jaw. So, for example, as depicted in FIG. 10, thesecond blade within lower jaw 14 is in the advanced first positionreleasably securing needle 200 to lower jaw 14 within bore 54. An outersurface 210 near the center of needle 200 is offset a distance andgenerally parallel with longitudinal axis 208 when jaws 12, 14 are inthe closed position.

The advancement and retraction of first and second blades is controlledby blade and control rod 26. Blade and needle control rod 26 isoperatively coupled at its upper end to switch 34. Switch 34 causeslongitudinal movement of rod 26 in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 1)when switch 34 is actuated. So, by way of example, when switch 34 isactuated, it moves control rod 26 longitudinally in the distaldirection. The cylindrical member on the first hub 18 extends throughslot 160 of control rod 26 and cylindrical member 136 of second hub 20extends through slot 158 on rod 26. Longitudinal movement of control rod26 causes cylindrical members 136 of first and second hub 18, 20 to movewithin their respective chevron pathways defined by slots 158, 160. Whenupper blade 22 is in the retracted second position and lower blade 24 isin the advanced first position, the cylindrical member 136 of hub 18 isin a most distal position within slot 160. In this same position,cylindrical member 136 on hub 20 is in a most distal position extendingthrough slot 158. After the needle 200 has been switched to bereleasably secured to upper jaw 12, the blade and needle control rod 26is actuated in a manner that positions cylindrical members 136 adjacentthe proximal end of slots 158, 160 respectively.

In operation and with reference to FIG. 10, port closure device 10 ofthe present disclosure allows a surgeon to suture a port 204 defined byhuman tissue 206 in manner that allows the suturing device 10 to remainin a generally vertical position during the suturing process. This isadvantageous inasmuch as when a patient is ordinarily operated on, theyare lying on an operating table and the plane of port 204 is generallyparallel to the ground. Other known suturing devices do not include theaforementioned elements of device 10, requiring a surgeon to attempt topass a needle through human tissue at an angle that is not verticalwhich may result in a weak suture which is not beneficial to thepatient.

With continued reference to FIG. 10, the distal end 28 of device 10 ispassed downwardly through port 204 between two walls of human tissue206. The jaws 12, 14 are then moved to the open position as depicted inFIG. 10, with the needle releasably secured to the bottom jaw 14. In theopen position, the outer surface 210 of needle 200 is perpendicular tolongitudinal axis 208. Jaw control rod 16 is moved longitudinally upwardtowards proximal end by actuating trigger 32 which closes jaw 12 and 14.During the closure of jaws 12, 14, needle 200 passes through humantissue 206, pulling suture 202 therethrough as well. With needle 200piercing human flesh 206, switch 34 is actuated to release needle 200from lower jaw 14 and secure needle 200 to upper jaw 12 via blades 22,24. The jaws are then opened and needle 200 is releasably attached toupper jaw 12 and pulled through human tissue 206 a partial distance suchthat a portion of suture 202 extends above, below, and through tissue206. Device 10 is then rotated about its longitudinal axis 208 so thatthe process may be repeated by passing needle 200 through tissue 206that defines the other side of port 204. In general, device 10 may berotated about the longitudinal axis in a range from 45° to 315°, howeverin one particular embodiment the device is rotated 180°. The othertissue 206 is indicated on the right side of FIG. 10. The surgeon maythen tie a surgical knot to suture port 204 closed such that humantissue 206 that defines port 204 is closed and may heal.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure anddepicted generally throughout FIG. 11 through FIG. 18, the port closuredevice 10 may alternatively comprise an upper first jaw 212 and a lowersecond jaw 214 that form an assembled jaw assembly 213 (FIG. 13). Thejaw assembly 213 is carried by the elongated shaft 36 and positionedadjacent the distal end, the first and second jaws 212, 214 moveablebetween an open and a closed position. Posterior portions of jawassembly 213 (i.e., posterior refers to being closer to centerline 208than not) are within the lumen of elongated tubular housing 36 andanterior portions of jaw assembly 213, such as the forward ends of thefirst and second jaws 212, 214 are exterior the housing 36.

The port closure device 10 embodied in FIG. 11 through FIG. 18 mayfurther comprise a transverse second axis 216, wherein the first jaw 212and second jaw 214 rotate about the transverse second axis 216 betweenthe open and closed positions. The transverse second axis 216 isperpendicular to and intersects longitudinal centerline 208, which isalso commonly referred herein as a longitudinal first axis. Theintersection of the longitudinal first axis 208 and the transversesecond axis occurs at an imaginary point and is best seen in FIG. 14. Atleast one of the first and second jaws is generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal first axis 208 in the closed position. In one particularembodiment, both the first jaw 212 and the second jaw 214 are generallyperpendicular to the elongated tubular housing 36 in the closedposition.

As stated above, the transverse axis 216 intersects longitudinal axis208 at an imaginary intersection. As shown in FIG. 14, the longitudinalaxis 208 lies along plane 272. The imaginary intersection is interiorthe elongated tubular housing 36 and more particularly, interior theassembled jaw assembly 213. This design obviates the need for anyadditional articulating joints which could move the jaws perpendicularto the direction of longitudinal axis 208.

The port closure device 10 embodied in FIG. 11 through FIG. 18 furthercomprises a needle 218 having opposed first and second sharpened ends220, 222 configured to pierce live tissue 206. As will be described ingreater detail below, the needle 218 is selectively transferable betweenengagement with the first jaw 212 and the second jaw 214. Needle 218carries a suture string (similar to string 202) therewith as the needle218 is transferred between the two jaws. In the closed position (FIG.17), the needle 218 contacts both the first and second jaws 212, 214. Inthe open position, needle 218 contacts only one of the first and secondjaws. A mid-portion 224 on needle 218 is offset a distance from thelongitudinal first axis 208 and the mid-portion 224 is generallyparallel with the longitudinal first axis 208 when the first and secondjaws 212, 214 are in the closed position and the mid-portion 224 isgenerally perpendicular with the longitudinal first axis 208 when thejaws are in the open position. Also, the mid-portion 224 would be offsetand generally parallel with the transverse second axis 216 when the jaws212, 214 are in the open position (FIG. 13). In the open position, theneedle 218 contacts only one of the first and second jaws. The needle218 defines a completely bounded first aperture 227 adjacent the firstsharpened end 220 and a completely bounded second aperture 229 adjacentthe second sharpened end 222.

As depicted in FIG. 11, first jaw 212 includes a forward end 228 (i.e.,anterior) and a rear end 230 (i.e., posterior) which is closer tohousing 36 than first end 228 which is farther away from housing 36.First jaw 212 includes an elongated member 232 which defines the firstend 228 and an inner/posterior cylindrical member 234 which defines therear end 230. Elongated member 232 is depicted in FIG. 11 as having agenerally rectangular cross section including four walls that extendfrom a forward/anterior terminal wall 236 towards the rear end 230,however other configurations are entirely possible. The elongated member232 further defines a needle control bore 238 extending along the lengthof elongated member 232 from an open communication with forward terminalwall 236 and extending to an open communication with a sloped wall 240.Needle control bore 238 receives a control blade 22 therein. Sloped wall240 rigidly connects with a cylindrical sidewall 242 on cylindricalmember 234. A series of concentric and transversely extending annularmembers having smaller radii extend outwardly in a transverse directionfrom an end of cylindrical sidewall 242. As depicted in FIG. 11, anannular member 244 extends transversely outward from an annular end wall246 and is concentric therewith about transverse axis 216. First annularmember 244 has a smaller radius than cylindrical sidewall 242. A secondannular member 248 extends transversely in the same direction as firstannular member 244 and concentric therewith having a smaller radiuscreating a stacked configuration of concentric annular members.

As depicted in FIG. 12, lower second jaw 214 includes an elongatedmember 250 defining a forward end 252 and a cylindrical member 254defining a rear/posterior end 256. Elongated member 250 includes aforward/anterior terminal wall 258 and a plurality of rigid supportingsidewalls extending towards the second end 256 therefrom. In this shownembodiment, there are four sidewalls having a generally rectangularcross section however, clearly it is entirely contemplated that otherstructural configurations of the elongated member 250 are entirelypossible. Similar to the upper first jaw 212, the lower second jaw 214includes a sloped wall 260 extending from a portion of the elongatedmember 250 to a rigid connection with a cylindrical sidewall 262 oncylindrical member 254. A second needle control bore 264 is definedalong the length of elongated member 250 in open communication with theforward terminal wall 258 to an open communication with sloped wall 260.Second control bore 264 receives the second control blade 24 therein.Cylindrical member 254 includes at least one annular member 266extending from a rigid connection with annular end wall 268 andextending transversely therefrom concentric about transverse axis 216.Annular member 266 defines a wall 270 which is configured to receivesecond annular member 248 on first jaw 212 in an assembled position.Additionally, the width of annular member 266 is equal to that of firstannular member 244 and their two radii are the same as well. Therespective elongated members of first and second jaws 212, 214 arearranged and rigidly attached to their respective cylindrical memberssuch that when first and second jaws are mated together along thetransverse axis 216 that the upper elongated member 232 is generallydirectly above lower elongated member 250 (see FIG. 14).

More particularly as depicted in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, in the assembledpositions the upper needle control bore 238 is directly vertical abovethe lower needle control bore 264. This direct vertical alignment isidentified in FIG. 14 through the imaginary dashed line 272.

With continued reference to FIG. 13, an upper needle receiving cavity274 is defined in a longitudinally extending wall 276 on elongatedmember 232. Needle cavity 274 is adjacent terminal wall 236 and is inopen communication with needle control bore 238 as will be described ingreater detail below. A second needle cavity 278 is formed in alongitudinally extending wall 280 on elongated member 250 and is in opencommunication with second needle control bore 264 as will be describedin greater detail below.

As depicted in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, needle 218 has a generally arcuateconfiguration such that the mid portion 224 is above the sharpened ends220, 222 when viewed in cross section. When viewed in cross section,needle 218 includes an upwardly facing convex surface 282 and adownwardly facing concave surface 284. The completely bound firstaperture 227 adjacent first sharpened end 220 has an inwardly taperingannular surface 286 terminating short (i.e., lower than) of themid-portion of aperture 227. As depicted in FIG. 16, tapering entrance286 has a greater diameter at the downwardly facing concave 284 and anarrower diameter along the upper edge of the tapered entrance 286 toform an open communication with aperture 227 extending in a generallycylindrical bore to an open communication but still completely boundwithin upper surface 282 of needle 218. A second tapered entrance 288 isshaped identical to that of tapered opening 286 however, it is formed insecond aperture 229. Apertures 227 and 229 are sized to receive thecontrol blades 22, 24 or control rods therethrough. One exemplarycontrol rod that may be used in association with needle 218 is thecontrol blade 22 identified in FIG. 6 however, other control blades areentirely possible.

As depicted in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the needle cavity 278 and needlecavity 274 are each bound by inwardly tapering walls on their respectivelegs. As is shown in more detail with respect to FIG. 18, the lowersecond jaw 212 includes a first tapering wall 290 and a second taperingwall 292. Tapering walls 290, 292 converge towards each other inwardlyto a point 294 forming a junction where tapered entrance opening 296 isin open communication with needle cavity 278. It is to be clearlyunderstood that a complementary shaped surface and opening exists onfirst jaw 212 as depicted in FIG. 17.

In accordance with one non-limiting and exemplary aspect of thisembodiment having jaw assembly 213, the present disclosure advances theart of medical devices by providing a suturing device having a jawperpendicular to the elongated tubular housing/shaft without the needfor any articulating joints to alter jaws orientation. In doing so, thepresent disclosure achieves significant space-savings enabling suturingdevice 10 to fit within smaller ports than a device requiringarticulating joints. This advantage should be readily apparent to onehaving ordinary skill in the art because the endoscopic cameras used inlaparoscopic surgeries are advancing in their own right. As cameratechnology advances, the physical size of the cameras decrease. Thus, asurgeon only needs to create a small incision/port to fit the advancedcamera through. Older prior art suturing devices are simply too large tofit within and properly close the smaller ports that are used inassociation with the advanced endoscopic cameras.

In operation and with respect to assembled jaw assembly 213, needle 218is configured to be received in each of the first and second jaws 212,214 in the closed position as depicted in FIG. 17. In the closedposition, first end 220 is fully received within cavity 278 and secondend 222 is fully received within cavity 274. First aperture 227 isaligned with needle control bore 264 and second aperture 229 is alignedwith needle control bore 238. This allows the transfer of a needlecontrol blade 22, 24 as described above with respect to FIG. 1 throughFIG. 10 to selectively extend through either one of aperture 227 oraperture 229 to selectively engage the needle such that it remainsselectively attached to one of the jaws in the open position.

To open the jaw assembly 213 from the closed position (FIG. 17), thesurgeon will actuate the trigger handle assembly 32 identified in FIG. 1that operatively controls the upper and lower jaws 212, 214 of assembledjaw assembly 213. Similarly, the needle moving switch 34 is operativelycoupled to control blades 22, 24 which are disposed within first bore238 and second bore 264 to effectuate transfer of needle 218 betweenfirst jaw 212 and second jaw 214. Similar to the view identified in FIG.10, when the surgeon actuates the trigger assembly, jaw assembly 213moves from its closed position identified in FIG. 17 to an open positionsimilar to that identified in FIG. 10. In this shown state, a controlblade extends through completely bounded first aperture 227 on needle218 securing needle 218 to second jaw 214. When the port closure device10 is in the open position, the mid-portion 224 of needle 218 isgenerally perpendicular to longitudinal center line 208. The second end222 of needle 218 is exposed and disconnected from first jaw 212allowing the first end to pierce live tissue 206 defining a port 204 asthe surgeon actuates the trigger handle assembly 32 to move the jawsfrom the open position towards the closed position. As the jaws areclosing, the sharpened end 222 pierces live tissue passing suture 202therethrough. With the live tissue 206 pierced and the jaws in a closedposition, the surgeon may then actuate the needle moving switch whichwill transfer the securement of needle 218 from lower jaw 214 to upperjaw 212. This is done by a needle control rod withdrawing from aperture227 and another needle control rod in upper jaw 212 extending intoaperture 229. With the needle selectively attached to upper jaw 212, thesurgeon may release the trigger assembly 32 to pull the needle 218through the pierced live tissue 206 pulling suture 202 therewith. Thesurgeon may then rotate the port closure device 10 180° to pierce livetissue on the other side of port 204 and suture the other side of thelive tissue 206 in a similar manner as that described above.

In some real world instances, live tissue 206 may be difficult to pierceand may require manual physical exertion on behalf of the surgeon. Inthese instances, it may be possible for some of the components of portclosure device 10 to bend slightly such as the needle becoming slightlybent. In order to solve this need, the entrance openings 274 and 278 totheir respective jaws have tapered walls 290, 292 meeting at a junctionpoint which act as guide walls in the event that needle 218 becomesslightly bent and the ends 220, 222 need guided assistance into theirrespective apertures 274, 278.

To further assist the selective securement of needle 218 to jaw 212 orjaw 214 in the open position, the apertures 227 or 229 on needle 218 arefully bound, meaning that it is a complete through aperture and not justa slit along the side edge of the needle, which is the most common formof needle in the general surgical arena to date. The completely boundaperture 227, or 229 ensure that the needle control blades 22, 24prevent needle 218 from loosening from its selective engagement witheither one of jaw 212 or jaw 214 when the jaw assembly 213 is in theopen position. This is especially critical during surgical scenarios toensure the needle 218 is not lost within the patient.

The three completely bound apertures on needle 218 are distinct andseparate. Particularly, the outer apertures 227, 229 receive the controlblades 22, 24 and a central third completely bound aperture 231 receivessuture 202 therethrough.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued.

Also, various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods,of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of themethod may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments maybe constructed in which acts are performed in an order different thanillustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, eventhough shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of thedisclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exactdetails shown or described.

What is claimed:
 1. A port closure device comprising: an elongatedhousing having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongated housingextending along a longitudinal first axis; first and second jawspositioned adjacent the distal end of the elongated housing, the firstand second jaws moveable between an open and a closed position; atransverse second axis intersecting the longitudinal first axis, whereinat least one of the first and second jaws rotate about the transversesecond axis between the open and closed positions; wherein both thefirst and second jaws are not parallel to the longitudinal first axis inthe closed position; and wherein the port closure device is adapted tocarry a needle having opposed first and second sharpened ends configuredto pierce live tissue; wherein the port closure device enables theneedle to be selectively transferable between engagement with the firstand second jaws and the needle adapted to carry a suture stringtherewith as the needle is transferred, and wherein the first and secondjaws are adapted to respectively cover the first and second sharpenedends of the needle in the closed position and only one of the first andsecond jaws respectively covers the first and second sharpened ends ofthe needle in the open position.
 2. The port closure device of claim 1,wherein the first jaw comprises: a wall having an bounded edge definingan opening adapted to receive the needle therethrough in the closedposition; wherein the opening is offset from the longitudinal first axisin the closed position.
 3. The port closure device of claim 1, whereinthe first jaw comprises: a frustoconical sidewall defining a portion ofan opening adapted to receive the needle therein in the closed position;wherein the opening is offset from the longitudinal first axis in theclosed position.
 4. The port closure device of claim 3, wherein thefirst jaw further comprises: a needle control bore formed in the firstjaw, wherein the needle control bore is in operable communication withthe opening.
 5. The port closure device of claim 1, wherein the firstjaw comprises: an annular member defining a transverse bore coaxial withthe transverse second axis.
 6. The port closure device of claim 1,further comprising: a longitudinally extending cylindrical outersidewall of the elongated housing; a first end on the first jaw, whereinthe first end on the first jaw is offset transversely from thecylindrical outer sidewall when the first and second jaws are in theclosed position, and the first end on the first jaw is closer to thelongitudinal first axis than the cylindrical outer sidewall when thefirst and second jaws are in the open position.
 7. The port closuredevice of claim 1, wherein the first jaw comprises: an anterior end anda posterior end; and an elongated member that defines the anterior endand is generally rectangular in cross section.
 8. The port closuredevice of claim 1, wherein the first jaw comprises: an anterior end anda posterior end; an elongated member that defines the anterior end;wherein the elongated member has a length; and wherein the length of theelongated member positions the anterior end farther from thelongitudinal axis than the elongated housing when the first and secondjaws are in the closed position.
 9. The port closure device of claim 8,wherein the first jaw further comprises: a terminal wall at the anteriorend; a needle control bore defined within the elongated member extendingalong at least a portion of the length of the elongated member; and anopening defined in the terminal wall in open communication with theneedle control bore.
 10. The port closure device of claim 9, furthercomprising: a control blade disposed within the needle control bore. 11.The port closure device of claim 1, wherein the first jaw comprises: ananterior end and a posterior end; an elongated member that defines theanterior end; and an annular member that defines the posterior end,wherein the annular member is centered along the transverse second axis.12. The port closure device of claim 1, further comprising: wherein thefirst jaw defines a first needle control bore and the second jaw definesa second needle control bore wherein the first and second needle controlbores; a needle control switch on a handle assembly operatively coupledto a first needle control blade and a second needle control blade;wherein the first needle control blade is disposed with the first needlecontrol bore and the second needle control blade is disposed within thesecond needle control bore.
 13. The port closure device of claim 1,further comprising: a mid-portion on the needle offset a distance fromthe longitudinal first axis and the mid-portion generally parallel withthe longitudinal first axis when the jaws are in the closed position andthe mid-portion generally perpendicular with the longitudinal first axiswhen the jaws are in the open position and the needle is contacting onlyone of the first and second jaws.
 14. A port closure device comprising:an elongated housing having a proximal end and a distal end, theelongated housing extending along a longitudinal first axis; first andsecond jaws positioned adjacent the distal end of the elongated housing,the first and second jaws moveable between an open and a closedposition; a transverse second axis intersecting the longitudinal firstaxis, wherein at least one of the first and second jaws rotate about thetransverse second axis between the open and closed positions; wherein atleast one of the first and second jaws is not parallel to thelongitudinal first axis in the closed position; a needle having opposedfirst and second sharpened ends configured to pierce live tissue;wherein the needle is selectively transferable between engagement withthe first and second jaws and the needle carries a suture stringtherewith as the needle is transferred, and the first and secondsharpened ends of needle are respectively covered by the first andsecond jaws in the closed position and connected to only one of thefirst and second jaws in the open position; a mid-portion on the needleoffset a distance from the longitudinal first axis and the mid-portionof the needle is generally parallel with the longitudinal first axiswhen the jaws are in the closed position and the portion of the needleis generally perpendicular with the longitudinal first axis when thejaws are in the open position and the needle is contacting only one ofthe first and second jaws.
 15. The port closure device of claim 14,wherein the first jaw comprises: a wall having an bounded edge definingan opening adapted to receive the needle therethrough in the closedposition; wherein the opening is offset from the longitudinal first axisin the closed position.
 16. The port closure device of claim 14, furthercomprising: a longitudinally extending cylindrical outer sidewall of theelongated housing; a first end on the first jaw, wherein the first endon the first jaw is offset transversely from the cylindrical outersidewall when the first and second jaws are in the closed position, andthe first end on the first jaw is closer to the longitudinal first axisthan the cylindrical outer sidewall when the first and second jaws arein the open position.
 17. A port closure device comprising: an elongatedhousing having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongated housingextending along a longitudinal first axis; first and second jawspositioned adjacent the distal end of the elongated housing, the firstand second jaws moveable between an open and a closed position; atransverse second axis intersecting the longitudinal first axis, whereinat least one of the first and second jaws rotate about the transversesecond axis between the open and closed positions; wherein at least oneof the first and second jaws is generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal first axis in the closed position; a needle having opposedfirst and second sharpened ends configured to pierce live tissue;wherein the needle is selectively transferable between engagement withthe first and second jaws and the needle carries a suture stringtherewith as the needle is transferred, and wherein the first and secondsharpened ends of needle are respectively covered by the first andsecond jaws in the closed position and connected to only one of thefirst and second jaws in the open position; first and second needlecontrol blades that are selectively operable by a user, wherein thefirst and second needle control blades extend through the first andsecond jaws respectively, wherein the first and second needle controlblades are adapted to releasably secure the needle to one of the firstand second jaws as selected by the user.
 18. The port closure device ofclaim 17, wherein the first jaw comprises: a wall having an bounded edgedefining an opening adapted to receive the needle therethrough in theclosed position; wherein the opening is offset from the longitudinalfirst axis in the closed position.
 19. The port closure device of claim17, further comprising: a longitudinally extending cylindrical outersidewall of the elongated housing; a first end on the first jaw, whereinthe first end on the first jaw is offset transversely from thecylindrical outer sidewall when the first and second jaws are in theclosed position, and the first end on the first jaw is closer to thelongitudinal first axis than the cylindrical outer sidewall when thefirst and second jaws are in the open position.